Here are represented two Victorian campaigns in Africa that reveal the organizational skill of British commanders in hostile and unknown terrain. Emperor Theodore of Abyssinia, piqued by British disinterest in his remote empire, imprisons a British Envoy and other Europeans. In 1868 a column under Robert Napier, extensively outfitted, superbly organized, marches to Theodore's capital at Magdala. Defeated in his initial attack on the British, Theodore releases the hostages, but unappeased, the British storm and destroy the citadel, leaving Theodore dead before returning home.

In 1874, raids by the aggressive inland Ashanti on West African coastal trading colonies demand punishment. Garnet Wolseley executes a thoroughly organized campaign. After several jungle skirmishes and battles, the Ashanti retreat to fight another day. The British enter and destroy the deserted Ashanti capital of Kumasee.